Congratulations!
1) Yes. Most people struggle the most on a 100 mile ride (160 km) between the 70 mile and 90 mile points. That's after the 100 km point. While doing a 100 km is a good practice run for a longer distance, many will suggest doing a 120 or 130 km ride before attempting the century.
2) I print out the cue sheet and put it in a map case on top of my handlebar bag.
3) Yes ... I think you were advised to start slow and ride your own ride.
We advise that for a reason!
4) You might need to ride more on a variety of roads.
5) Lower the pressure in your tyres a bit.
6) Regarding: "I've read of people suggesting eating the equivalent of a Clif Bar (c 250kcal) per hour" ... 250 cal/hour is at the high end of the range and a good idea if you're doing
LONG rides ... for as long as you can manage it. But on a century, 200 cal/hour is probably as high as I would go, and the fitter you are the less you can get away with.
7) Randonneuring events are not for looking at the scenery (although occasionally you can manage to see some and snap a few photos) ... they're endurance challenges. They challenge riders to complete long distances within a certain amount of time. Your training rides and cycletours between these events are for relaxing and taking photos and all that stuff.
Anyway, congrats on the first century. When I rode my first, I vowed I'd never ride one again ...... 182 centuries or longer events later ...
